A handsome and downright useful early twentieth century antique white enamel water carrying can with a hinged lid. It would have originally been used to fill basins or baths with hot water, before the days of universal plumbing. Now it makes the perfect indoor watering can for houseplants or pot plants on the terrace.

History of enamel in the home

Up until the late 19^th century your everyday hot water can was either made from copper or brass. Although the enamelling process had been invented hundreds of years before, it took the Industrial Revolution to drive forward the quality of vitreous enamelling and its application to everyday household objects; and by the dawn of the 20th Century enamelled household equipment, from pans, buckets and kettles through to bins, scuttles and hot water cans had become commonplace. 

Dimensions: Height 34cm  Width lengthways 25cm  Width crossways 20cm  Length spout to handle 41cm

Year of manufacture: c.1920

Country of origin: England 

Material: enamelled steel

Condition: good with a few minor nibbles and knocks to the enamel around the spout, top handle and its bottom edge rim. There's also two dings on the side handle and on the rim of the lid, yet this adds to its character and good-looks.  See images. 

Note: much "vintage enamel" popular today was, and still is, made in Poland - and some of it is not as old as it would appear.  This water can however was made in England and is a genuine early piece.